Ukrainian Genealogy Group
National Capital Region
The Ukrainian Genealogist
October 2013
913 Carling Avenue Ottawa, Ontario K1Y 4E3
Website: www.UkrainianGenealogyGroup-NCR.org
eMail: [email protected]
Contact: Myron Momryk (613) 731-1870
Editor: Mike Dowhan (613) 521-3449
September 24, 2013 Meeting
The UGG was fortunate to have Ron Sorobey,
the leading historian on Ukrainian Canadian
military history, make a presentation on the life
and career of Lev (Leon) Hloba – The Reluctant
Hero.
Ron provided a biographical outline of Hloba
and his family in Ukraine and their participation
in Ukrainian historical events in the years up to
the Second World War. He described the
historical background of political conditions in
Eastern Europe and the outbreak of the Second
World War. He mentioned the formation of the
Ukrainian auxiliary police units during the
German occupation and membership in these
units. In some cases, the Ukrainian underground
encouraged individual members to join these
units to gain military training and access to
weapons and ammunition. Among the topics
covered were the types and insignia of uniforms
worn by the various police and military units in
Ukraine at that time.
Ron spoke about the combat operations in
Ukraine and in France in the summer of 1944.
He discussed the actions of the police battalion
and other units in France and the effect of their
mutiny in the successful Allied conduct of the
war. Ron mentioned their alliance with the
French Resistance and their incorporation into
the French Foreign Legion. After the war,
Hloba lived in a Displaced Persons Camp and
eventually made his way to Hamilton, Ontario
where he worked as a sports photographer for
the newspaper, The Hamilton Spectator.
his death on December 31, 2012, his family
found papers in a safety deposit box confirming
his identity. This is an example of several
Ukrainians who came to Canada after the
Second World War who hid their identity for a
variety of reasons. This deliberate action
complicates research in Ukrainian Canadian
family history and can lead to ‘brick walls’
while researching certain individuals and
families that had survived the Second World
War under particularly difficult circumstances.
Ron’s presentation was accompanied by maps
and photographs. The presentation was
concluded by a question and answer period.
Ron Sorobey had previously researched and
written an article on this Ukrainian unit and their
mutiny in France entitled, Ukrainians Fight For
France which can be located at:
http://forum.ottawalitopys.org/france/sorobey.htm
The newspaper article on Hloba in The Hamilton
Spectator is located at:
http://www.thespec.com/news-story/2210581passages-spec-photographer-had-major-role-inlittle-known-second-worl/
During his life in Hamilton, Hloba denied that
he was a member of this police unit. But after
Ron Sorobey presenting at our September meeting
Databases of cemeteries on the web
City of Regina, Online Cemeteries Database
http://www.regina.ca/residents/cemeteries/cem
etery-plot-search/online-cemetery-search/
Saskatchewan Geo-Memorial Project
http://www.sasksearch.com/maps/remembranc
e.php
City of Kamloops, B.C. Cemetery Interment
Search
http://tempestlivesvr.kamloops.ca/online/ceme
tery/10-IntermentSearch.cfm
Kapuskasing, Ontario Cemetery (including First
World War Internees)
http://www.kapuskasingdeathrecords.com/sear
ch.asp
Community Events
Yuriy Vynnychuk’s books and Viktor
Morozov’s CD’s will be available for
purchase (with autograph if you wish!).
St. John Ukrainian Hall, Green Valley
Crescent. Tickets $25 include one beer.
Info: 613-726-3389.
October 31 – November 2
The Chair of Ukrainian Studies, University of
Ottawa, presents the 9th Annual Danyliw
Research Seminar on Contemporary Ukraine.
Details at:
http://www.ukrainianstudies.uottawa.ca
November 2, Saturday 7:00 pm
UKRAINIAN NIGHT 2013 - Dinner and
Dance Saturday, November 2, 2013
Saint John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic
Shrine 952 Green Valley Crescent
October 24, Thursday 7:00 pm
Ukrainian Canadian Professional and
Business Association of Ottawa (UCPBA)
hosts an Ottawa Ukrainian Night at the
Ukrainian Orthodox Hall, 1000 Byron Ave.
Wine and cheese reception.
UCPBA President with summary of the
year’s activities. Silent Auction with
proceeds to ‘Cure: blood cancer’, the
Canadian charity founded by Lesia
Maruschak.
Special Community Builder Award to Bill
Teron. Music by Markian Pergat. Cash Bar.
Event free for UCPBA Ottawa members,
SUSK and CUPP students; $3 for nonmembers.
http://www.ucpbaottawa.ca
Divine Liturgy 4:45pm. Cocktails 6:00pm.
Dinner 7:00pm. Entertainment 8:00pm.
Major Benefactor:
Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre
Tickets: $40.00 per person
For more information contact:
Mike Jaz (613)830-7787
Frank McGoldrick (613)828-7531
Richard Sheffchick (613)731-4453)
Next Meeting
Our next meeting featuring the presentation
entitled “Footsteps of the Cossacks along
the Dnieper River” will be held on Tuesday
November 26.
October 26, Saturday. 7:00 pm
Yuriy Vynnychuk and Viktor Morozov in
Cabaret “Nezazhurene Sertse Batiara” (in
Lviv jargon). Many jokes, live songs,
Lvivske pyvo, coffee and true Lviv
atmosphere (you may bring your favourite
food).
Christine Spearin and André Thouin will
present photos and share their experiences
from their recent cruise and travels in
Ukraine.